Sumo / Basho Reports Jan 14, 2022
The win improved the 37-year-old Tamawashi's career record between the Mongolian-born grapplers to 6-10 and left both with 5-1 records.
Basho Reports Sep 19, 2021
The undefeated sole leader secured a winning record for the tournament but was more than tested by his veteran opponent.
Basho Reports Jul 7, 2021
Hakuho and Terunofuji survive scares to stay perfect on Day 4
Hakuho, who had knee surgery in March, needed all his agility and survival instincts to deny No. 2 maegashira Takanosho an upset in the day's last bout.
Sumo / Basho Reports Jul 16, 2020
Upcoming July Basho could be fascinating, unpredictable affair
by John Gunning
It’s hard to know just what kind of physical or mental condition rikishi will be in when things kick off at Ryogoku Kokugikan on July 19.
Sumo | Rikishi Files Nov 20, 2019
Tamawashi's January victory among sumo's biggest shocks
by John Gunning
Roughly half of sumo's recent first-time champions have been rikishi on the way up. Takakeisho, Mitakeumi and Asanoyama are young guns who should all win titles again in the future. The other half are rikishi like Tochinoshin and the now-retired Kisenosato — veterans whose Emperor's Cup ...
Sumo / Basho Reports Nov 17, 2019
Hakuho remained alone at the top of the leaderboard after beating Tamawashi at the Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament on Sunday. Having started the second week of the meet as outright leader, Hakuho made sure it stayed that way by forcing out the No. 4 maegashira ...
Sumo Jul 4, 2019
Title appears up for grabs at upcoming Nagoya Basho
by John Gunning
Commentators often divide sumo into eras, each defined by its outstanding rivalry. Whether it's Akebono vs. Takanohana, Taiho against Kashiwado or Tochinoshiki taking on Wakanohana, great yokozuna pairings have traditionally been the standard way to separate one generation of rikishi from the next. So dominant has ...
Sumo / Basho Reports Mar 20, 2019
Yokozuna Hakuho held off a stern challenge from sekiwake Takakeisho on Wednesday to maintain his perfect 11-0 record at the Spring Grand Sumo Tournament. No. 4 maegashira Ichinojo is one win behind the Mongolian yokozuna, who aims to hold onto the lead for a record-extending ...
Sumo Mar 11, 2019
by John Gunning
When many people think of sumo, they imagine two large men locked in a vice-like grip straining to force each other out of a ring. The common English-language naming of the sport as "sumo wrestling" also reinforces that grappling image. Go to almost any stable and ...
Sumo Mar 7, 2019
Hakuho, other challengers ready to chase spring glory
by John Gunning
The Osaka Basho, which gets underway on Sunday, is arguably the most wide-open tournament sumo has seen in years. With three of the last four meets crowning first-time champions, guessing who will be hoisting the Emperor's Cup on March 24 is like trying to predict ...
Sumo | INSIDE SUMO Jan 30, 2019
Tamawashi put on thrilling show during run to first title
by John Gunning
Just prior to the 2018 September Tournament, while sitting in a sweltering Ryogoku Kokugikan and watching the Yokozuna Deliberation Council practice session, I grabbed a quick selfie with a couple of rikishi standing over my right shoulder. Tochinoshin and Mitakeumi were the two wrestlers in ...
Sumo / Basho Reports Jan 27, 2019
Sekiwake Tamawashi became the second-oldest wrestler in sumo's current format to secure his maiden championship, winning the New Year Grand Sumo Tournament on Sunday, the tourney's 15th and final day. The 34-year-old Mongolian wrapped up his triumph with his 13th victory, beating No. 9 maegashira ...